Surgical Assistant salary in Virginia
Surgical Assistants in Virginia earn a median of $78,910 a year ($37.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,140 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $66,800. Virginia ranks 11th of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. There are 0.24 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| 25th percentile | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Median | $78,910 | $37.94 |
| 75th percentile | $103,860 | $49.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,140 | $61.12 |
| Average (mean) | $82,280 | $39.56 |
Half of surgical assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,575.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,287.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,035 |
| Weekly | $1,517.50 |
| Hourly | $37.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Surgical Assistant salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,530 | 270 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $65,260 | 30 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $60,410 | 680 |
| Richmond, VA | $51,030 | 340 |
Highest-paying states for surgical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $123,390 |
| Arizona | $111,170 |
| Colorado | $107,440 |
| Nevada | $100,820 |
| New Jersey | $90,710 |
| South Carolina | $85,580 |
| Kentucky | $84,600 |
| Tennessee | $81,640 |
| Oregon | $80,450 |
| Illinois | $80,210 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | $61,860 | — |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $59,060 | $28.40 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $63,410 | $30.49 |
| Genetic Counselor | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,920 | $31.21 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Physicians, All Other | $278,530 | $133.91 |
| Pharmacist | $144,060 | $69.26 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,450 | $48.78 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,810 | $61.45 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $80,670 | $38.78 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $53,290 | $25.62 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-9093. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surgical assistant make in Virginia?
The median salary for surgical assistants in Virginia is $78,910 a year, or $37.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Virginia?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in Virginia earn at least $127,140 a year. The top 25% earn $103,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,760 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $51,030 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Virginia?
About 1,000 surgical assistants are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.